Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Call Me The Breeze
2. Crazy Mama
3. Magnolia
4. After Midnight
5. Lies
6. Changes
7. If You're Ever In Oklahoma
8. Midnight In Memphis - J.J. Cale
9. Cajun Moon
10. Rock And Roll Records
11. Anyway The Wind Blows
12. Crying
13. Everlovin' Woman
14. I Got The Same Old Blues
15. Woke Up This Morning - J.J. Cale
16. Cocaine
17. The Woman That Got Away
18. Ride Me High
19. Hey Baby
20. Durango - J.J. Cale
21. I'll Make Love To You Anytime
22. Don't Cry Sister
23. Thirteen Days
24. Things Ain't Simple - J.J. Cale
25. Sensitive Kind - J.J. Cale, Audie Ashworth, Ronnie Light

Disc 2:

1. Carry On - J.J. Cale, Audie Ashworth, Hugh Davis
2. Runaround - J.J. Cale, Audie Ashworth, Hugh Davis
3. Mama Don't - J.J. Cale, Audie Ashworth, Ron Reynolds
4. City Girls
5. Devil In Disguise
6. You Keep Me Hangin' On
7. Downtown L.A.
8. A Thing Going On
9. Don't Wait
10. Wish I Had Me A Dollar - J.J. Cale
11. Money Talks
12. Hard Times
13. People Lie
14. Unemployment
15. Trouble In The City
16. Santa Cruz - J.J. Cale
17. Shanghaid - J.J. Cale
18. Change Your Mind - J.J. Cale
19. New Orleans - J.J. Cale
20. Humdinger - J.J. Cale
21. Lonesome Train - J.J. Cale
22. Jailer - J.J. Cale
23. Artificial Paradise - J.J. Cale
24. Long Way Home - J.J. Cale
25. Closer To You - J.J. Cale

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2765 in Music
• Released on: 1997-06-02
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .26 pounds
• Running time: 153 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
JJ Cale is in the curious situation of being best known for another artist's work: Eric Clapton's version of his song, "Cocaine". And admirable as the Clapton track may be, it is little more than a tribute to Cale's own unique sound, a sleepy, bluesy shuffle something akin to Ry Cooder on valium. The likes of Dire Straits and Chris Rea made their mark peddling pale imitations of Cale's guitar playing and song writing, and it's well worth your while to hear the real thing. This exhaustive anthology covers a quarter-century in which Cale has done little more than emphasise and refine his marvellously relaxed style. His songs capture the essence of life in the small, dusty towns of the American Southwest--sometimes laid-back, sometimes beaten down and weary, but always unhurried and understated. Titles like "Call Me The Breeze", "Lonesome Train" and "Wish I Had Me A Dollar" give a fair idea of Cale's familiar subjects. But if you've never heard his music, very likely you'll swiftly find it both unique and addictive. --David Bennun

CD Description
A two-disc, 50-track anthology covering the whole of J.J. Cale's career in vividly remastered sound, ANYWAY THE WIND BLOWS is a textbook example of how to assemble a good single-artist anthology. Focusing equally on all periods of Cale's career--not hard, since the man is nothing if not consistent--the compilation functions equally well as a greatest hits collection for the casual fan, and a balanced introduction for the novice.
More importantly, there's enough previouslyunreleased material--five high-quality tracks, including a cooking live take on "Wish I Had Me a Dollar"--to appeal to diehard fans without unnecessarily overloading the set with obscurities for obscurity's sake. Whether you're a longtime fan of the Tulsa-based guitarist or if you only know him through the Eric Clapton covers (the originals of "After Midnight" and "Cocaine" are both included here), you'll enjoy ANYWAY THE WIND BLOWS.

Customer Reviews

The Great Man's greatest
This is a wonderful album. I have loved JJ Cale since I first came across him in the mid-70s. I still have his first 8 albums on vinyl and was looking for something to play in the car. This is nearly perfect as a compilation album, with almost all my favourites (no River Runs Deep, Gypsy Man or Katy Cool Lady, though) and not a duff track among them. Almost all the greats are there - and they really are great.

You can't possibly go wrong with this double CD. If you already know and like JJ Cale then it's bound to have 50 songs you like (and many which you love), and if you don't you've nothing to lose. An absurdly low price and you'd have to be made of stone not to be seduced by Crazy Mama and After Midnight. It's worth it for these two alone, and there are another 48, many of which are just as good.

Recommended in the strongest possible terms. Risk a few quid - you won't regret it.

Absolutely Brilliant
For any JJ Cale fan (or anyone else for that matter), this double cd should be a must-have. Fifty tracks for a fiver!! It would still be good value at THREE times the price (which is what I paid for it a few years ago!).

But regardless of price, this compilation is a very representative sampling of the great man's work, filled with marvellous music and giving glimpses of various of JJ's influences including Cajun and Latino, and all done in his inimitable style. There's even at least one rare live recording which is not only a very good track, but special because of the man's avoidance of publicity. In fact, if you are not already a fan, the chances are good that this is because he has successfully evaded your notice - indeed, it almost seems as if he has spent his entire career trying to escape his own success! Makes a nice change, in my opinion. Nevertheless, you know what they say about talent!

If you've never heard any of JJ Cale's music, then I really would urge you to give it a go. And, at the price of this double cd, you really wouldn't be making a very big mistake now, would you?!

Super Stuff
A Great Artist all around this guy, so many artists have come to cale for inspration, his music seems timeless, is very addictive, and is sure to stand the test of time. With this album you get a bit of everthing, from 'They Call me The Breeze' to 'Midnight in Memphis'. Im sure, some day, J,J Cale will be looked back upon as one of the all time greats.